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Though Michael Steele hasn't had a lot of defenders in recent days, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich emerged Tuesday to vouch for the chairman's ability to lead the party through the 2010 elections and urged Republicans to shift focus toward beating Dems this fall.

“It's foolish for Republicans to focus on Michael Steele as the person,” Gingrich said during an interview on NBC’s “Today Show.” “We ought to focus on defeating Democrats and we have a real chance to elect John Boehner as speaker and to elect Mitch McConnell as majority leader,” he said.

Is he right?

Newt: 'Foolish' to focus on Steele

By: Andy Barr

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich defended Michael Steele on Monday, urging the GOP to turn its focus from the embattled chairman of the Republican National Committee.

“It's foolish for Republicans to focus on Michael Steele as the person,” Gingrich said during an interview on NBC’s “Today Show.”

“We ought to focus on defeating Democrats and we have a real chance to elect John Boehner as speaker and to elect Mitch McConnell as majority leader,” he said.

Steele has had few defenders since it was revealed that the RNC spent nearly $2,000 at a bondage-themed strip club. And Gingrich’s comments came only hours after RNC Chief of Staff Ken McKay resigned along with Curt Anderson, one of Steele’s top consultants.

Despite the RNC’s problems, Gingrich said Steele is “is capable of taking [the committee] through the mid-term election.”

“Michael Steele's raised a lot of money, campaigned very aggressively, helped win in Virginia and New Jersey and Massachusetts,” said the former Georgia Republican. “My advice to him would be to appoint a respected outside authority to review everything.”

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